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What’s in my laptop bag, 2018 edition

Back with an update to my unapologetically-feminine tech-oriented “what’s in my bag” post. The laptop itself hasn’t changed, but the bag definitely has! All together, this weighs about 12 pounds. Previously, from May 2016.

Senreve Maestra bag in blush: Kicking it off with my most major upgrade from my last post is this gorgeous leather convertible satchel. What makes it convertible? Well, the straps can be pulled through the hardware loops to go from a shoulder/crossbody bag to a backpack. It’s pretty pricey (even pre-loved, which is how I got mine), I’m not gonna lie, but if you’re like me and you like your things to be both extremely functional and look a certain way, it’s one of the very few options we have. The materials are sturdy but luxe. I don’t really know what else compares to this bag out there – aesthetically it kinda makes me think of the Céline mini belt bag, although much more functional and not $2,500.

Rose gold MacBook 12″ with marble decal and color-matched rose gold keyboard cover: Some days I can feel this little 2.5 year old machine start to drag but the portability still has me hooked. I recently put on a marble decal to tone down the amount of rose gold/blush in my kit and also because I just like the way it looks. Meanwhile, the keyboard caps are starting to wear out and also the keyboard just kinda sucks anyway so I put a cover on it. It looks okay. I have to talk myself out of going to check out the new MacBook Air.

Laptop sleeve: This was a random Amazon find and I have yet to see a laptop sleeve I like better. I actually really like the feature to fold the flap and use it to prop up your laptop for ventilation and a better typing angle.

iPad Pro 10.5″: This is such a nice device. I don’t want to know if the new 11″ is better, I’m not upgrading 🙂 I can actually get away with doing a lot of my work on the iPad, like Slack-ing, writing docs, and doing code review. It’s also wonderful for sketching out thoughts and way easier to port around the house or take with me on day trips just in case something comes up.

Apple Pencil with magnetic sleeve and cap holder: I love this device and the accessories are super helpful IMO – the cap holder keeps that tiny little cap from getting lost, and the magnetic sleeve holds it in place on the edge of the case/iPad and further prevents the thing from rolling everywhere. I also find it more comfortable to write with.

Planner: This is the closest I’ve found to a layout that works for the way I work through things, short of making my own which I don’t want to do. I repurpose some of the sections as I need, although maybe it wouldn’t hurt for me to do some gratitude practice.

USB-A+C wall adapter: Why is it so hard to find a good high-speed USB-C and USB-A wall adapter without extra cords? I have no idea if this one is really made well or anything but my MacBook reports an very fast charge when using it and it’s nice and compact.

Presentation remote: Simple but it requires a USB dongle so I should probably upgrade this to Bluetooth at some point. I don’t really walk around when I present so it’s not critical for me. I’m pretty sure Nacin had it in his possession for two years and returned it to me by sneaking it onto my home desk.

Satechi USB-C hub: It’s rose gold! But also it works fine. I don’t use it very often. At my desk I have a USB-C monitor with USB ports on the back, and when I’m out and about I only really use this for presenting over HDMI.

USB-C cable: I am pretty sure this is the one that came with the battery pack. Don’t think it carries data.

Lightning cable

Kindle Paperwhite with case: I love books and I love this case because it folds up so it can stand on its own, perfect for my favorite time to read: while eating alone. When you have small children, eating leisurely by yourself is a huge treat.

Chocolate: I always need chocolate when I’m traveling, which is what I’m usually doing when I actually carry this bag. Right now I am really enjoying these dark chocolate + hazelnut bars I picked up at the grocery store, but Ritter is typically my go-to. Or if I’m in the mood for extra sugar, 100 Grand bars.

Bag organizer: The last one I had was great and not all that dissimilar, but this one is definitely an upgrade. Most of the small items besides my wallets go in here (see picture at end of post), and it has a bottle holder. It also happens to match the inside of my bag very closely 🙂

Pouch: I change this up sometimes, pictured is something I got from a family member so if you’re looking at it wondering “is it really…?”, no it is probably not (if you know, you know). Anyway, this is bags-in-bags-in-bags level because being organized soothes me. I like this one because it’s just the right size for more pens, but sometimes there are also pouches holding makeup or other random objects I need for that particular outing.

Card cases: The black one is a slim one that I keep my main cards and a few bills in, and the orange one holds other cards that I don’t need to carry around with me for most daily activities.

USB to lightning/micro-USB mini cable: I picked this up randomly at a Container Store (my happy place). I have yet to actually try it but it seems handy!

AirPods with case: I know it’s been said a million times now but seriously, AirPods are a magical product. I keep mine in a case because a) my spouse also has a pair and b) it adds enough grip that it stops falling out of pockets inside my bags. This case happens to glow in the dark but I don’t think I’ve ever actually needed that part. Electrical tape also makes for a cool-looking DIY grip.

Regular EarPods with 3.5mm plug: For my computer, for calls or needing to listen to something in a noisy environment.

No-slip grip hair ties: Still the only hair ties that actually stay in my hair.

Bandaids: I haven’t had any shoe break in issues in a while (possibly because I spend more on them now…) but I’m a mom and I can be clumsy so they stay in my bag.

Lactaid: I am even less tolerant of lactose now so there are at least two stuck inside every single bag and wallet I own. I tried a generic lactase pill for a while and it didn’t work at all, so brand loyalty it is.

Compact mirror: Honestly I probably use my phone camera more for quick check ups myself but you never know when a mirror might come in handy.

Mints: This is usually whatever mints I picked up at an airport or grocery store recently. Right now it’s a tin of mints from the Café Britt shop.

Fresh Sugar lip balms: I carry minis of both the regular (clear) and a sheer rose tint which is very flattering. This links to a set of 6 different mini balms, which is my preferred size for my bag, but the full size ones are available alone.

Pens and pencil: Two years later, I am still obsessed with MUJI gel pens. I usually have a black one in 0.5m, a colored one in 0.38mm, and another black one in 0.38mm tucked into the spiral of my planner. The pencil is a typical 0.7mm BIC mechanical pencil, based on its translucent glitter body I think it’s from a bulk box I bought more than 10 years ago. I haven’t yet taken to a fancy pencil, but maybe someday.

9oz Swell water bottle: I like this size for my bag, although I also have a larger size (read: taller) 10up-branded one at my desk. This particular one is the Teal Wood color. I don’t remember how I acquired it, probably one of those fancy sample boxes.